Theory:
Intermittent fasting to promote the utilization of fat for fuel, stimulating ketosis—a metabolic state where the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. Combining this approach with a high-fat, low-carb diet can enhance the body's ability to enter ketosis, leading to increased fat burning, and improved sustainable energy.
Intermittent Fasting Protocol for Athletes:
Fasting Window: 16 hours (16:8 method)
Eating Window: 8 hours (12:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
Focus: Low-carb, high-protein, high-fat diet to support ketosis.
Goal: To increase fat oxidation by depleting glycogen stores and promoting the use of fat for energy.
Fasting: 16 hours of fasting daily (8:00 PM to 12:00 PM During this period, only water, coffee, tea.
Turbocharge Ketosis :
1) Drink bulletproof coffee (Coffee blended with a grass-fed butter or MCT oil) to promote ketosis and sustained energy.
2) Incorporate exercise during the fasting window (like fasted cardio in the morning) to promote fat utilization.
3) Take Exogenous Ketone supplements to guide your body into ketosis.
Other Supercharged Benefits of combining intermittent fasting with a keto diet:
Cognitive function: When in ketosis, the body produces ketones, particularly beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), which acts as a more efficient and stable energy source for the brain than glucose. Moreover, fasting increases the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports brain health, improves learning, and aids in memory retention.
Cell Autophagy: The stimulation of cell autophagy, a process where the body breaks down and recycles damaged or unnecessary cells. Weak cells die off and are consumed to repair other cells, making the building blocks of your body more robust.
It takes the body some time to adapt to burning fat for fuel so the first several days will likely be challenging but theres a good chance you come out the other side of it feeling healthier and performing better.
Namaste,
Stefan Menichella
TAO Founder
